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Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger signed an executive order on February 4, 2026, directing law enforcement agencies across Virginia to review their policies, training, and practices in an effort to strengthen public trust and improve community policing.
According to the governor’s office, the order emphasizes that law enforcement’s primary role is to protect life, uphold constitutional rights, and support vulnerable populations. It also calls for transparency, accountability, and consistent engagement with communities, while discouraging fear-based or performative policing.
The directive states that Virginia agencies should focus on public safety and criminal investigations rather than enforcing civil immigration status. It also highlights the importance of investing in officer training, recruitment, and retention, as well as building partnerships with local leaders, schools, and community organizations.
Spanberger, a former federal law enforcement officer, said recent federal enforcement actions nationwide have damaged trust between police and communities. She warned that shifting state and local officers toward federal immigration work weakens their ability to serve residents and contributes to fear and distrust.
Through a separate executive directive, the governor ordered state agencies — including the Virginia State Police and the Virginia Department of Corrections — to end their participation in 287(g) agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. These agreements allowed state officers to assist in federal immigration enforcement under ICE supervision.
Spanberger said the agreements placed Virginia officers under federal control and distracted them from their core responsibilities. The move also rescinded a previous executive order issued in 2025 that supported the partnerships.
Republican leaders criticized the decision. John McGuire said ending the agreements could weaken cooperation between agencies and put public safety at risk. He argued that the directive may interfere with federal efforts to remove dangerous criminals.
Morgan Griffith also opposed the move, saying it could create tension between local, state, and federal authorities. He urged the governor to reverse the directive, warning that it may undermine coordinated law enforcement efforts.
State officials say the new policies are intended to reinforce trust, clarify agency roles, and ensure that Virginia law enforcement remains focused on protecting communities.
SOURCE: WHSV3